Letters: Loopholes, lampreys and Leonard Lance

Doug Cutler, a 23-year-old from Manville, caught a sea lamprey in the Raritan River in the spring of 2011 and took pictures. Nearly two years later, the pictures have caused a buzz online and some disbelief from people behind their computers. Photos courtesy Doug Cutler.

This article also states, "The average family in the bottom 20 percent of households won’t pay any federal taxes." It is impossible to benefit from a loophole or deduction if you are already not paying any taxes.

While it is reasonable to debate the benefits or legitimacy of various loopholes/deductions, it will always be true that any loopholes/deductions will benefit only those people who are already paying taxes. The higher the tax rate, the bigger the benefit.

Spearing a lamprey for no reason (not edible) is not "connecting" with nature. That is simply killing nature.

A.J. Weideman, Union

Remarkable story

The story "The tiny face of a rare disease" (March 1) was encouraging because it showed how a small girl like 7-year-old Amirah Henry can be so strong. Her courage to discuss her rare disease was remarkable and her strength to endure treatments is extraordinary for such a young age.

It was also pleasing to hear what extensive research the NIH is doing even though it struggles to find funding. The 8 percent or $2.5 billion loss due to spending cuts will curtail the research necessary to find cures for patients such as Amirah. Through sharing her experience and health issue, Amirah is bound to become a successful young woman.

Helena Voltmer, Essex Fells

Sky in fine shape

The environmental sky is falling in Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed budget. Or so says the Sierra Club’s Jeff Tittel in a Star-Ledger op-ed. But if his complaints about the budget are the evidence, then sign me up for falling skies.

Tittel complains that Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts must include tax dollars for people to buy energy-efficient appliances and "invest" (read: "spend other people’s money") in weatherization and so-called "green energy," all wasteful and unproductive boondoggles.

He’s outraged that taxpayers will save hundreds of millions of dollars through cuts to dubious-sounding policies and programs that do nothing to create private-sector jobs or grow the economy, and drive businesses and jobs away.

Tittel is beside himself that the Department of Environmental Protection has fewer employees now than at any time since the mid-1980s. Many people in the state want DEP’s head count reduced to its level on April 21, 1970, the day before the agency came into being.

Rep. Leonard Lance (R-7th Dist.) has made a point of celebrating his vote for the Recalcitrant Cancer Act, which directs the National Cancer Institute to devise a plan to treat the deadliest of cancers. This is the same congressman who has voted against what is usually referred to as Obamacare, has voted to repeal Obamacare and now has voted to shut down the government, ending all sorts of programs that are necessary for sick and indigent people.

Part of this government shutdown he supports removes $2.5 billion from the National Cancer Institute’s budget. How can the congressman expect the Cancer Institute to take on more work and do more research while losing so much money from its budget? When discoveries are made, how will they become available to those in need?

Rich Riggs, Somerville

Packing heat

My takeaways from Paul Mulshine’s column ("New Jersey Democrats put Sweeney under the gun," March 3) involve two very distinct reactions. The first is political: extreme disappointment over the possibility Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) may not have the courage to stand up to pressure exerted by the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club and "the guys down South," especially in the event one or more of the bills in that Assembly package might move reasonable and substantial gun control forward.

My second is one of enlightenment. Having relocated from "effete Essex County" to Denville six years ago, I now understand that my increased strength, energy and virility must be attributable to the massive testosterone infusion I automatically received when I moved across the border into the more gun-friendly environs of Morris County. For that I am truly grateful.

Joseph Gervasi, Denville

Ending trafficking

The profile on human trafficking was insightful and I am pleased that this issue is getting the attention it deserves ("Tackling 21st century slavery," Perspective, March 3).In crafting the "Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection and Treatment Act," my staff and I spent the better part of last year gathering input by meeting with a broad coalition of experts and advocates.

The resulting legislation takes a multipronged approach to tackling this sinister trade. Not only does it sharply increase penalties for perpetrators, it also provides victims with a number of avenues for redress, which are sorely lacking now as your profile pointed out. In addition to vacating convictions that occur as a result of being the victim of trafficking, the bill would also allow victims to file civil claims regardless of whether criminal charges are brought up.

The bill is awaiting final legislative approval by the Senate before heading to the governor’s desk. It is my hope that in a short matter of time, New Jersey will rank near the front of the pack in eradicating this scourge.